Blough Selected as Manning Passing Academy Counselor

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Big Ten’s leading passer from 2016 is headed to the Manning Passing Academy as a counselor. Junior quarterback David Blough has been selected by a panel that includes Archie Manning as one of the college quarterbacks to serve at the camp.

The academy is run by Archie, Peyton, Eli and Cooper Manning and runs from June 22 through June 25 in Thibodaux, Louisiana, at Nicholls State University.

“I hope to learn as much as I can. It’s going to be a great experience, getting to learn from Peyton, Archie, Eli and other professionals,” Blough said. “These are guys who have played at the level at which I aspire. I want to learn how they handle everything that comes with playing quarterback. I plan on taking my notebook and sitting up front and learning as much as I can from them. I was so excited when I got accepted that I took a picture of the email and sent it to my dad and coaches back home.

“I’m also looking forward to giving that all back to the next generation of quarterbacks with the campers who are there. It’s important to me to help them in any way that I can. I’m really looking forward to the experience and bringing back as much as I can so I can apply it to Purdue football.”

At the camp, which is now in its 22nd year, counselors are expected to work extensively with the younger campers, from 1-on-1 instruction to teaching technique and fundamentals, to various other drills. Blough is among more than 25 other college quarterbacks, including 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville, whom the Boilermakers open the 2017 season against Sept. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“It’ll be exciting to learn from my peers, the other college quarterbacks who are there,” Blough said. “I’ve been able to meet a lot of great quarterbacks, from Drew Brees to Aaron Rodgers, Bob Griese. Now I have the chance to add two of the greatest quarterbacks in the last 15 years – maybe ever – with Peyton and Eli. It’s special and I can’t begin to describe how excited I am. It will be a great experience for me to learn from the pros, as well as some of the top guys around the country, and to give back to the game’s next generation.”

Last season, Blough completed 295 of 517 passes (.571) for 3,352 yards and 25 touchdowns. Only three other quarterbacks in school history have ever passed for more yards in a season – Drew Brees (three times), Curtis Painter (twice) and Jim Everett. His 25 touchdown passes are tied for the fifth-most by a Boilermaker with Brees (1999).

Blough led the Big Ten in passing touchdowns, completions per game (24.6), passing yards per game (279.3) and total offense per game (280.4). He ranked second in points responsible for per game (14.5). Nationally, he was eighth in completions per game, 13th in passing yards per game and 23rd in passing touchdowns.

For new head coach Jeff Brohm, Blough is one of three quarterbacks he has coached to earn a spot as a Manning Passing Academy counselor. Brandon Doughty was selected in 2015 and Mike White will be alongside Blough this year. Both other quarterbacks played for Brohm at Western Kentucky.

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Ryan McNeill

I've appeared on ESPN Radio, MTV Canada, SiriusXM, The Fan 590 and other radio programs and TV shows. I've been blessed to have covered the NBA with media credentials since the 2007-08 season and NCAA Football since the 2015 season.